Quick Facts on Jamal

Characteristics of Jamal

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Etymology & Historical Origin - Jamal

Jamāl (جمال‎) is a name of Arabic origin and means “beauty, good-looks”. The name has been used widely among Arabic speakers in the Middle East and Northern Africa, but it was really African-Americans who popularized the name among English-speakers. In fact, Jamal was one of the first Arabic names to be adopted by Blacks as their own after the Civil Rights Movement. And what a “handsome” choice given the name’s meaning! The name was famously borne by a late 19th century Islamic ideologist and political activist named Jamal-al-Din al-Afghani who worked toward the unification of Muslim people against Western demands and pressure. In terms of the Western World today, Jamal is mostly considered an African-American masculine name.

Popularity of the Name Jamal

Jamal debuted on the American charts for the first time in 1968 and quickly rose to high levels of popularity (considering it was mainly restricted to the African-American community). Not surprisingly, Jamal has always maintained most of his success in states where there’s a high concentration of Blacks (Louisiana, Mississippi, Delaware and Maryland). Although since the mid-1990s, Jamal has given way to more fashionable African-American names (Demarco, Deon, Darius and Malik, for example). Because of this name’s “good-looking” etymology, it has also enjoyed a fair amount of crossover appeal (not to mention it remains in circulation among Arabic-speaking Americans). Nevertheless, Jamal appears to be losing favor in recent years. There’s something so cool about Jamal and it’s not just all about his handsome good-looks!

Popularity of the Boy Name Jamal

You need Adobe Flash Player 6 (or above) to view the charts. It is a free and lightweight installation from Adobe.com. Please click here to install the same.

Cultural References to the Baby Name - Jamal

Literary Characters of the Baby Name Jamal

Jamal We cannot find any significant literary characters with the first name Jamal.

Popular Songs on Jamal

Jamal - We cannot find any popular or well-known songs featuring the name Jamal.

Children's Books on the Baby Name Jamal

Jamal and the Angel (Anita Rodriguez) - In the tradition of African-American folk tales, this multicultural fantasy creates a positive image of city children and their family life and offers young dreamers everywhere a message of faith and hope. Illustrated in full color by the author. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Jamal Martin & All That Jazz (Sadie Stone) - A timely book in an untimely setting! Come along with Jamal as he explores the vast world of African-American art, literature, and, of course, music. Walk with Jamal through the streets of New York and experience the Harlem Renaissance through his eyes! Recommended for ages 4-8.

Jamal's Busy Day (Wade Hudson) - Jamal, a handsome, energetic African-American boy, is shown making all the necessary preparations for school that his parents make to begin their day. The upbeat message is that both parents and child can work hard and accomplish much in their respective areas, all have something to contribute. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Jamal's Job: The Sound of J (Cecilia Minden) - Learn about the sound of the letter J, as Jamal wants to have a fun job, just as his brother Jake and sister Jasmine do. Recommended for ages 5-8.

My Friend Jamal (Anna McQuinn) - Different cultures. Fast friends. Jamal and Joseph were born in the same hospital in the same month. Now they're best friends. The two like to play at each other's homes. Joseph's mom knows Jamal can't eat pork sausages because he's Muslim. She knows, too, that he can't have ice cream because of his eczema. Some things that happen at Jamal's house are a lot different from Joseph's: the food his mother prepares, the way they sit to eat, and the special clothes they sometimes wear. Jamal and Joseph like to play superheroes and cheer their favorite basketball stars. They even say they're going to sign with the same team when they grow up. A poignant story about a childhood friendship where unfamiliar cultures meet, My Friend Jamal lets readers sample the differences and recognize the powerful bond that draws two boys together. The visuals, which combine photography and original art, are wonderfully playful and imaginative. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Jamal - Boy Baby Name - Historic Figures

Search Baby Names

Personality of the Boy Name Jamal

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged. They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.